I Am An African

    Free Us to Be Free

    2013

    Free us to be free –
    Because so much progress
    Has been blind to our beauty
    Because so much advice
    Has been deaf to our song
    Because we will only be free
    When we take responsibility
    For ourselves

    Free us to be free –
    Because so many leaders
    Have been corrupted by power
    Because so many followers
    Have been weakened by need
    Because we will only be free
    When we write the history
    Of our people

    Free us to be free –
    Because we are out of sync
    With the beat of the world
    Because we are out of step
    With the march of civilization
    Because we will only be free
    When we dance the melody
    Of our land

    Free us to be free –
    Because too many problems
    Began as gifts from others
    Because too many solutions
    Have not been home grown
    Because we will only be free
    When we follow the decree
    Of our hearts

    So if you really care
    As much as you say
    Pray, let us go
    To find our own way
    Free us to be free –
    Free to fly the nest of ideology
    Free to fight for the dreams
    Of our children

    — Wayne Visser